Elderly Scots admitted to care homes will no longer have to go into self-isolation for two weeks under new guidance issued by the Scottish Government.
Patients leaving hospitals to go into care homes won't be required to isolate if they've returned a negative PCR test in the last two days, and so long as they show no symptoms and haven't been exposed to covid in last two weeks.
In a further boost to the sector the isolation period for residents who test positive will be reduced from 14 days to 10 days.
Social Care minister Kevin Stewart said it is important for care home sto "continue to support indoor visiting".
The government has made the decision following clinical and public health advice following the high vaccination rate across the country.
Care home residents who have been in hospital for acute overnight stays will no longer need to isolate and not need a negative test.
Stewart said: "We know isolating for longer time periods can be distressing and harmful for care home residents and for their loved ones.
"Reducing the length of time care home residents have to isolate if they catch covid, or are identified as close contacts, reflects the ongoing risks facing people who live communally, in a homely environment with other care home residents, many of whom have long term conditions.
"It is also crucial that care homes continue to support indoor visiting.
"Yesterday the First Minister advised the lifting of guidance limiting the number of households meeting indoors. However, she stressed that it would be sensible for people to remain cautious in their social interactions for the time being.
"We therefore recommend that there should be no set limits to the number of households visiting each resident, care homes will determine group sizes and numbers taking into account the size of the visiting area and other factors.
"As before there should be no restrictions placed on frequency and duration of visiting which will guided by care home arrangements and circumstances."
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